Chapter 2 - Familiar

The chirping of birds, swooshing of winds, and the rustling of trees and a little specks of chatters from the outside. Serenity and peace. Such a place everyone always wanted to experience aside from the hustle of the city. So as what Maiden thinks and feels as well. She never thought she would be in this kind of state feeling calm and relaxed for the very first time.

However, Maiden, widen her thoughts and ponder,  But wait! the Last thing I remembered was, I was poisoned by Adela. So how did I end up being in this place?

Ah. This was probably in heaven. Serenity, calmness, and contentment, this was the feeling I feel in here. So I am sure that this is heaven.

She happily thinks these thoughts in her mind. Maiden, although has been born into such a wealthy family, was spoiled with the needs and wants that everyone in the world wanted but she also experienced everyone else experience of losing a loved one. And in her, at such a young age of 15. In her teens where she should have enjoyed her youth, where she should have enjoyed the feeling of being free yet guided by her parents. But she lost them. Thus, feeling this unexpected ambiance makes her anticipate the good things in life again.

But sucks? I did awful things when I am alive so why am I in heaven? Why am I in such a place as peaceful and calm as this?

Or this could be hell trying to conceal its ruthlessness? Maybe it was hell after all. Maybe the devil's trying to play with me.

Maiden began to think of all possibilities on how she has reached this place. She could not imagine being in heaven as well, as she knew she was no saint. She did what every greedy, vengeful mankind did to their foe, so she wasn't positive about being in heaven.

As she was in the middle of pondering, she heard again the little chatters she have heard earlier and it became much audible. It... Or they slowly stepped closer and closer until she heard them comprehensively. She heard a woman cry that said, "Alani, thank you for saving my daughter. I owe you my daughter's life." The woman paused, in between her sobs she continued,  "My daughter is everything to me. Without her, I don't even know how to live. When her father died, I know we were left to hang on each other's arms. If she would also be gone, I would be nothing anymore. I will be such a useless mother. That's why I thank you for saving her life. Thank you." She cried even harder and repeatedly said her gratitude towards the other person who the crying woman called Alani, whom Maiden thinks is a girl as well. Leaving alongside the person the crying woman is talking to. Maiden focused on the woman giving her thanks repeatedly while crying her hearts out. She feels quite conflicted about the crying woman's cries. As if she could feel her pain. As she could feel how grateful and anxious she is.

She wanted to open her eyes that has been closed all this time, as she wanted to see who is this woman that is crying for her daughter. As she began to think that the gentleness of the woman's voice while saying that her daughter is everything to her, resembles the gentleness and care her mother has for her way back then. She is quite like this woman, gentle and caring towards her. She remembered that when she carelessly injured herself and got bruises, her mother will scold her but afterward would give her a hug saying gentle words that makes her heart melt.

Maiden reflexively smiled as she reminisce the thoughts of her mother scolding her but still love her so much. Then she hoped the daughter of this caring woman is okay. She's really very fortunate enough to have such a wonderful mother. She thought to herself.

She then felt a little pang of envy towards this woman's daughter. She guessed that maybe she was as caring as her mother so this daughter of hers should not take her for granted and enjoyed each passing moment while they are still together. Maiden hopes that they will not be like her and her mom that did not enjoy much of their cherished moments.

She sighed innerly. This is how I am now. Hell must be replaying people's lives to get me envied and jealous. She sighed again not contemplating to even open her eyes again to see who this mother is and who is her lucky child is. Cause she knew once she open her eyes, she would likely be jealous of the woman's child. Jealous, even though she knew her parents loved her more than anything else in this world. But what else could she do than feel jealous as her parents died too early. Too early for her to even be used to their loved. Too early to even enjoy how warmth their love may feel. She sighed again for the third time.

She then heard the woman called Alani say, which makes her shot her eyes open. "I did what I think is necessary at that moment, Mrs. Caliber."

She very least expected to hear such a familiar name. Alani just called this crying woman by her last name which is Caliber. Is it just a coincidence?

She looks towards the woman whose been called Mrs. Caliber. She seemed to be old for her age. She guessed she's around in her early thirties. As she further examined her, she see how beautiful this woman is. Freckles on her nose and a little wrinkles on her forehead. And a surprised eyes that landed right through Maiden.

Wait? Can she see ghost?

Maiden furrowed her brow, as she knew there was no way they can see a ghost. But aside from the feeling of surprise, she suddenly comes to notice the feeling of relief and... happiness?

What should I be happy about?  While Maiden is busy sorting out her feelings the woman whose been crying earlier scurried and touched her face with a look of happiness and love. Not even minding how puzzled the face she is touching right now.

Why did she touch my face? And why do I feel the warmth coming from her hands?  I am a ghost for heaven's sake. I have died of poison! Are they also a ghost?

Maiden takes her surrounding thoroughly, while slightly avoiding the light coming from the small window right beside their door. It stings her eyes. As she regained back her vision, she saw this Alani girl also staring right through her. Also kind of happy. As her vision right passes through her she takes every single inch of the place she's in. It was a small room with the least decor she can see. The walls are smudged with paintless wood while the floor...  oh well I can't see the floor in here. There's a small table right beside the bed that she's in with no lamp whatsoever but a candle merely hanging for its dear life.

She thought to herself. This family is poor then. With no generator or so to put up the electricity interruption.

But she suddenly jolted, she can't see any sign of electrical wirings all over the place there's not even a light bulb over the ceiling but a plain and empty one.

Are they too poor for it?

She scanned back the mother whose hands are still caressing her cheeks and Alani who sat at the bedside right beside her knee.

Wait?! Why are the dresses so peculiar? It seems like it's.. Wait a minute. AM I IN MEDIEVAL TIMES?

These women beside her dressed simpler than she expected but she knew that these kinds of dresses are used in medieval times. She had studied it before. They must be some kind of peasants or serfs, if she may say.

Nonetheless, they're beautiful. Maiden can say that simple is beautiful and presentable in some ways. It will definitely show your true inner self. 

"Are you okay, Pheia? (Fe-ya, like in Cassiopeia but with an f)

The woman searched for her eyes and look worried. Maiden didn't answer one bit which caused the woman to feel distressed and asked again, "Pheia? Are you alright, dear?" The woman's eyes still searched for Maiden's eyes which concludes the situation. I am the one she's talking to. I am the one she's called Pheia.

"I... ahm... okay." Maiden doesn't know how to answer her pleading eyes but to say the words she wanted to hear. The woman then heaves a sigh of relief, she taps Maiden's hand and reminded her, "You have to rest dear, you've got injuries to mend and I have to tend to." She followed the woman's hand as she gestured towards Maiden's head.

Maiden touched her head and feel the gauge that binds into it."What happened?" she asked silently.

" You've felled dear."

----------------------